History of statistics in Finland

The origins of a statistical organisation in Finland date back to the mid-18th century when Finland was under Swedish rule and the Tabellverket (Tables Office) was set up in Sweden for the purpose of keeping population statistics. This marked the beginning of the world's longest, continuous population statistics.

An independent Statistical Office of Finland was founded on 4 October 1865, while Finland was an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. When Finland gained independence in 1917, the work of the Statistical Office continued uninterrupted.